Major Events of March 1909: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from March 1909 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1909: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1909 First US University Nursing School Established: The University of Minnesota pioneered medical education by establishing the first dedicated university-level school of nursing in the United States, marking a significant milestone in professional healthcare training and women's professional advancement.
02 Mar 1909 European Powers Warn Serbia on Territorial Ambitions: Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy jointly issued a diplomatic warning to Serbia, cautioning the nation against making territorial demands. This event highlights the complex geopolitical tensions in Europe preceding World War I.
03 Mar 1909 Mount Olympus National Monument Established: President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation creating the 600,000-acre Mount Olympus National Monument in Washington State during his final full day in presidential office. This landmark conservation effort protected a significant wilderness area, preserving its unique ecological and geological features for future generations.
04 Mar 1909 William Howard Taft's Historic Indoor Inauguration: William Howard Taft was inaugurated as the 27th President of the United States during a significant snowstorm. Due to the severe weather conditions, he became the first American president since Andrew Jackson to take the presidential oath indoors, marking a unique moment in presidential inauguration history.
05 Mar 1909 Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company Founded: The charter for the Mutual Benefit Health and Accident Association was officially signed in Omaha, Nebraska, establishing what would later become the well-known Mutual of Omaha insurance company. This event marked the beginning of a significant financial institution that would provide health and accident insurance to millions of Americans.
06 Mar 1909 SS General Slocum's Final Sinking: The SS General Slocum, a steamboat infamous for a tragic fire in 1904 that killed 1,081 people, met its final end. After being raised and refitted as the barge *Maryland*, the vessel split in half while carrying 500,000 bricks near New Brunswick, New Jersey, though this time without any loss of life.
07 Mar 1909 US Senate Adopts Electric Underground Transportation: The United States Senate marked a significant technological milestone by inaugurating electric car transportation through an underground tunnel connecting the new Senate Office Building and the United States Capitol. This innovation represented an early adoption of electric vehicle technology in government infrastructure, symbolizing the emerging automotive age of the early 20th century.
08 Mar 1909 Taft Reverses Navy Yard Closures: U.S. President William Howard Taft rescinded Theodore Roosevelt's executive orders closing the navy yards at New Orleans and Pensacola, effectively preserving critical maritime infrastructure and potentially supporting local economic interests.
09 Mar 1909 Income Tax Law Enacted in France: On March 9, 1909, the French Chamber of Deputies passed a landmark income tax legislation with a decisive vote of 388 to 129. This marked a significant moment in France's fiscal policy, establishing a systematic approach to national revenue collection and setting a precedent for modern taxation systems.
10 Mar 1909 Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909: Thailand signed the Anglo-Siamese Treaty, relinquishing sovereignty over the Malay states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu, which became British protectorates. This significant geopolitical agreement reshaped the territorial control in Southeast Asia, marking a pivotal moment in British colonial expansion.
11 Mar 1909 Unremarkable Day in Early 20th Century: While no significant historical events were documented for March 11, 1909, this date falls during the early years of the 20th century, a period of significant global transformation marked by technological innovations, colonial expansions, and emerging geopolitical tensions.
12 Mar 1909 Women's Suffrage Milestone in Denmark: In a groundbreaking moment for gender equality, Denmark granted women the right to vote in municipal elections. This landmark decision allowed women not only to cast ballots but also to stand as candidates, marking a significant step towards political representation and women's rights in the early 20th century.
13 Mar 1909 University of Chicago Completes Perfect Basketball Season: The University of Chicago men's basketball team achieved a remarkable feat by defeating the University of Minnesota 20-15, concluding an undefeated 12-0 season. This victory highlighted the team's exceptional performance and dominance in collegiate basketball during the early 20th century.
14 Mar 1909 Formation of Amsterdam Social-Democratic Party: The Amsterdam Social-Democratic Party (SDP) was established, marking an important moment in the political development of the Netherlands and the growth of social democratic movements in early 20th century Europe.
15 Mar 1909 Edward Payson Weston Begins Cross-Country Walk: At age 71, Edward Payson Weston embarked on an extraordinary transcontinental walking journey, departing from the New York Post Office at 4:15 PM. His ambitious goal was to walk 4,300 miles (6,900 km) to San Francisco. Despite facing significant challenges including blizzard delays, Weston completed the journey in 105 days, arriving in Los Angeles, slightly beyond his original 100-day target.
16 Mar 1909 Establishment of the Bureau of Investigation: On March 16, 1909, Attorney General George Wickersham officially announced the creation of the United States Department of Justice's new Bureau of Investigation. This agency would later evolve into the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), becoming a critical federal law enforcement organization responsible for investigating federal crimes and maintaining national security.
17 Mar 1909 Panama Canal Construction Milestone: On March 17, 1909, a significant engineering milestone was achieved when the first concrete was poured for the Panama Canal project, specifically at the Gatun spillway. This marked a critical phase in the ambitious international infrastructure project that would revolutionize global maritime trade by connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
18 Mar 1909 First Short-Wave Radio Broadcast in Denmark: Einar Dessau of Denmark successfully demonstrated a groundbreaking short-wave radio transmitter, achieving a significant milestone in wireless communication technology. He transmitted a signal to a government post located approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) away, effectively becoming the first radio broadcaster and pioneering long-distance wireless communication.
19 Mar 1909 Glenn Curtiss Establishes First Airplane Manufacturing Company: On March 19, 1909, aviation pioneers Glenn Curtiss and Augustus M. Herring collaborated to establish the first dedicated airplane manufacturing company in the United States. This groundbreaking venture marked a pivotal moment in early aviation history, signaling the transition of aircraft production from experimental endeavors to a structured, commercial enterprise. Curtiss, already renowned for his innovative work in aeronautical engineering, partnered with Herring to create a business that would help standardize and advance aircraft design and production techniques.
20 Mar 1909 Uneventful Day in World History: While no significant documented historical events were recorded for March 20, 1909, this does not necessarily mean nothing of importance occurred. Many historical moments go unrecorded, especially in an era with limited global communication and documentation capabilities.
21 Mar 1909 Báb's Remains Interred in Haifa: The sacred remains of the Báb, a key religious figure in the Bahá'í Faith, were reverently placed in his Shrine on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, establishing an important spiritual site for the Bahá'í community.
22 Mar 1909 Austro-Hungarian Empire Threatens Serbia, Escalating European Tensions: In a critical moment of pre-World War I geopolitical tension, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was strategically positioning its military forces to potentially invade the Kingdom of Serbia. The primary catalyst was Austria's controversial annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which violated the 1878 Treaty of Berlin. Russia, bound by a defensive treaty with Serbia, strongly protested the annexation. Germany entered the diplomatic standoff, warning that if Russia did not withdraw its objections and compel Serbia to comply, Austria would launch a military invasion. This event represented a significant escalation of tensions that would ultimately contribute to the outbreak of World War I just a few years later.
23 Mar 1909 Theodore Roosevelt's African Safari Expedition: Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a groundbreaking post-presidency scientific expedition to Africa, departing from New York aboard the steamer Hamburg. This remarkable journey was sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society, marking a significant moment in early 20th-century exploration and wildlife conservation research. Roosevelt planned to collect zoological specimens, conduct geographical surveys, and document the diverse wildlife of the African continent.
25 Mar 1909 Tsar Nicholas II Resolves Balkan Crisis: Tsar Nicholas II of Russia averted potential war with Austria-Hungary and Germany by diplomatically dropping his opposition to the Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This strategic decision helped defuse rising tensions in the Balkan region and prevented a potential multi-national conflict.
26 Mar 1909 Pioneering Neurosurgical Procedure: Dr. Harvey Cushing performed his groundbreaking first trans-sphenoidal surgery in Boston, utilizing an innovative superior nasal approach with an omega-shaped incision. This procedure represented a significant advancement in neurosurgical techniques.
27 Mar 1909 Serbian Crown Prince Renounces Throne: On March 27, 1909, George, Crown Prince of Serbia, officially renounced his right to succession to the Serbian throne in favor of his younger brother, Alexander. This significant dynastic transition occurred due to George's perceived unsuitability for leadership, potentially stemming from personal or political challenges. Alexander would later become King Alexander I of Yugoslavia, playing a crucial role in the country's early 20th-century political landscape.
28 Mar 1909 Three Mile Island Nuclear Reactor Incident: On March 28, 1909, a significant malfunction occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania, resulting in a near-catastrophic meltdown. This incident would later become one of the most serious accidents in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history, raising critical questions about nuclear safety and environmental risks.
29 Mar 1909 German Nibelungentreue Doctrine Announced: German Chancellor Bernhard von Bülow publicly announced the doctrine of Nibelungentreue, a diplomatic concept emphasizing the unbreakable loyalty between the German and Austrian empires. Drawing from the medieval Germanic epic 'Nibelungenlied', this doctrine symbolized the strong alliance and mutual commitment between the two imperial powers, which would have significant implications for European geopolitics in the early 20th century.
30 Mar 1909 Queensboro Bridge Opens in New York City: The Queensboro Bridge, a significant infrastructure project, was inaugurated on March 30, 1909, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens. This engineering marvel dramatically improved transportation and urban connectivity in New York City, facilitating easier movement between these two densely populated areas.
31 Mar 1909 Serbia Accepts Austrian Control of Bosnia: Serbia officially accepts Austrian control over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a pivotal diplomatic moment that reshaped territorial boundaries in the Balkan region.